Introduction
When dogs live in human society they need to learn how to cope with the new experiences of domestic life. There are many new sounds, sights, smells and activities to which we can help them become accustomed by exposure, which will minimise the likelihood of them developing phobias and fears during their early stages of life with us.
The following essay touches upon the importance of the socialisation period for dogs, and discusses in more detail four examples of situations to which to introduce a puppy - other pets and children, interaction with other dogs, the friendly vet and car travel.
The Socialisation Period and Beyond
In his book, The Dog’s Mind, Bruce Fogle(1) details the first critical periods of early learning in a dog’s life:
| Neonatal period | Transitional period | Socialisation period | Socialisation period |
| to dogs | to humans | ||
| 0-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 4-12 weeks |
During the first 4-6 weeks of the socialisation period, the puppy is starting to use communication skills - tail wagging, whining, pawing, jumping up, licking - to communicate with his mother, and other communication to interact socially with his littermates - most importantly, play.
The socialisation period with humans starts from 4 weeks and extends to around five months of age. It is during this period of his life in which the puppy’s mind is most malleable and absorbent. He is able to bounce back more quickly from perceived threats and he has greater confidence. The more experiences he has in this short socialisation window, the better prepared he is for a less stressful adult life.
What about dogs that aren’t socialised adequately during the socialisation period? Bruce Fogel writes that ‘dogs that are denied human contact until they are twelve weeks of age seldom make good companions’(2). This would suggest that dogs that experience an interrupted socialisation period, such as those found in pet rescue shelters, can develop disruptive or uncontrolled behaviour. This isn’t to say that such behaviour cannot be be overcome with correct training, it just takes longer the more mature the puppy is.
Other Pets and Children
Dogs enjoy the company of other animals when socialised properly and can form bonds not only with humans, but also with other animals inhabiting their common environment. My cousin’s Boxer puppy was introduced to Henry, an elderly feline gentleman, from a very early age. They formed a great bond and even slept together at times.
There are many advantages for children to be brought up with household dogs. The bond between the child and puppy can be nurtured from the outset. This helps children to understand that dogs are friendly, social animals, who are great pals to play and go on adventures with.
Children who are lucky enough to be around puppies when they are first brought into the family home should always be supervised and should never be left alone together. (It isn’t advisable to leave children alone with mature dogs either.) Many mishaps can occur due to miscommunication between children and puppies. These can be avoided by following a few simple rules:
Never allow a child to pick up a puppy - this could lead to accidental handling problems and may be harmful to the puppy as the child has to deal with carrying a squirming puppy who has four legs and tail and a set of sharp little teeth.
Never allow a child to disturb a puppy while it is sleeping or eating - the puppy may not have been sufficiently trained against territorial aggression and food guarding.
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme (Responsibility and Care Fact Sheet) advises dog owners that ‘children are usually less predictable than adults and they should be warned:
- Never to make sudden movements close to a dog.
- Never to scream or suddenly yell close to a dog.
- Never to lunge at a dog, particularly when it is asleep.
- Never to put their face close to a dog’s face.
- Never to eat food close to a family dog.
- Never to tease or pull a dog’s body or coat.
- Never to ignore a dog’s warning growl.
- Always wash their hands after playing with a dog.
- Always ask permission before touching a dog they do not know.
They also suggest that ‘children should be reminded to respect all dogs’.
Finally, children should be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the puppy’s training. As well as introducing the puppy to children, it is useful to have children hand feed the puppy with tasty morsels. This will help to ensure that the puppy learns that children are friendly and a nice to be with.(3)
Interaction with Other Dogs
A puppy’s first interaction with another dog is that with it’s mother and later on with it’s littermates. During this period the puppy enjoys the relative comfort and security of the nest and begins to learn how to communicate. Puppies need to continue with this dog-to-dog communication as soon as possible after they are brought into the family home. Bruce Fogel suggests that ‘dogs that don’t meet other dogs during the socialisation period are fearful, make poor mothers and are inhibited or over reactive when they meet other dogs’. (4)
While some puppies may have the advantage of living with another dog in the household, other puppies may be limited to meeting other dogs in the park or during a walk. Another very good way of enabling social interaction with a variety of other dogs is to attend an organised puppy socialisation class, which usually involves basic reward-based obedience training.
When meeting other dogs during a walk or in the local park it is advisable to keep you puppy on lead and allow the dogs to approach each other and perform their ritual sniff-greeting. Always check to make sure the other dog is friendly by confirming with the other owner. If the puppy appears to be confident around other dogs, let him off the lead for some run about and play time, but only if it is safe to do so. It is important that there be some degree of supervision during free play time, in order to prevent any future problems, such as bullying.
Taking a puppy to a well organised puppy socialisation class helps both the puppy and the owner. The puppy benefits from instant contact with dogs of the same age, thus helping to affirm the social lessons learnt whilst with his litter. A good training class will also teach the new dog owner how to actively use positive reinforcement training techniques which can be utilised into adolescence and adulthood.
The Friendly Vet
The veterinary practice is one of the environments that puppies need to be introduced to from an early age. Even healthy dogs will need to visit the surgery at least once or twice a year. It is important to start to introduce puppies to the vets in a positive way.
Puppies can develop fear related behaviour during visits to the surgery because unpleasant experiences occur there. It is not possible to completely avoid a negative experience at the vets, but there are ways to help desensitise puppies to these events and minimise the effects of stress on the puppy.
Take regular visits to the veterinary surgery
Try to visit the vets as many times as possible and ensure this is a positive experience for the puppy. For example, it is important to keep an eye on the puppy’s weight during it’s growth stage, so regular weight-checks at the vet with a tasty treat for being good on the scales is a positive experience.
Enrol in a puppy class run by the surgery
The vets is seen as the ‘best place in town’ to meet puppy pals and have fun. Can’t get much more positive than that!
Conduct periodic inspections
Teach the puppy not to worry about the type of handling he is likely to receive when at the surgery. Regularly look into the puppy’s eyes, ears and mouth. Feel between his toes and around his stomach and tail, when standing, sitting or lying down.
Car Travel
A puppy’s first encounter with a car is usually when the new owner is collecting him from the breeder. This can be a cause of great anxiety for the puppy (not to mention the owner). Hopefully, the puppy will be of an age where he is still able to bounce back relatively unscathed from the experience.
The puppy should be gradually accustomed to car travel with very short trips at first. Slowly extend the length of the trips, perhaps stopping for a short walk or game along the way to encourage him to look forward to future car journeys.
Getting into the vehicle
If the puppy refuses to hop into the car, the following techniques can be used while the car is stationary (combined with positive reinforcement):
- With the puppy on the lead, climb into the car first and lead him into the car, rewarding with a tasty treat each time he moves further into the vehicle.
- Use the car as a playground, encourage him with his favourite toys, and he will begin to associate the car with fun.
- Avoid lifting the puppy into the car, as this may lead to a state of learned helplessness.
Getting out of the vehicle
When you have arrived at your destination, the puppy will no doubt be excited about getting out of the vehicle - especially if you have arrived at a favourite, fun place. Under no circumstances should the puppy leap out of the car. Not only is this dangerous in the event of passing traffic, but also puppies should not jump down from elevated positions until their bodies are more developed. Puppy should be in a relaxed, preferably sitting position, before being instructed to calmly alight.
Required equipment
All dogs should travel behind a dog guard, secured with a seat harness attached to the seat belt, or in a crate. If puppy is travelling on the back seat, it is advisable to use a seat cover. Not only will this help to protect the upholstery, but because it is usually attached to the front and back head rests, it’s hammock-like shape provides more space for puppy on the back seat and means he won’t fall into the foot well.
Works Cited
(1) The Dog’s Mind, ch.6, p.69 (Fogel, Bruce 1990)
(2) The Dog’s Mind, ch.6, p.69 (Fogel, Bruce 1990)
(3) The Culture Clash, ch.3, p.61 (Donaldson, Jean 2005)
(4) The Dog’s Mind, ch.6, p.85 (Fogel, Bruce 1990)
Bibliography
Cesar’s Way (Millan, Cesar 2006)
How To Speak Dog (Coren, Stanley 2000)
Puppies For Dummies (Hodgson, Sarah 2006)
Puppy Behaviour and Training (Heath, Sarah 2005)
Take The Lead (Watson, Heather 1998)
The Culture Clash (Donaldson, Jean 2005)
The Dog’s Mind (Fogel, Bruce 1990)
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme (Responsibility and Care Fact Sheet)
The Kennel Club Puppy Handbook (2007)
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